Display rack



Jam) 9, 1940. I H. c. ROBINSON 2,135,833

DISPLAY RACK Filed June 17, 1938 Patented Jan. 9, 1940 *1 ,UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPLAY RAC Harry 0. Robinson, Chattanooga, Tenn. Application June 17, 1938, Serial No. 214,337

3 Claims. (c1. 211-142) a particular shape and coordinated to provide maximum supporting capacity and strength, and whereby, also, the rack may be quickly and easily folded and unfolded and set up and locked in set-up position, and when in the latter, position, constitutesv a rigid structure wherein any tendency toward a rickety condition is avoided. Ease and economy in manufacture also constitute important features of the improved rack.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will become apparent in view of --the following description taken in conjunction with the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective 01 a rack embodyin'gi the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 isv a view in transverse vertical section its coacting latch bar illustrating the locking action.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the improved rack comprises a substantially rectangular-shaped rear supporting frame and leg memher, generally indicated at 5, having its lower portion shaped to provide legs 5a and 5b. This rear frame member is'cross-connected by a plurality of cross rods 6, I and Id. A combined shelf and front frame or leg member, generally indicated at 8, is provided, said member preferably being formed of a piece of rod stock bent in stepped, U-shap'e form with the bottom portion thereof shaped to provide supporting legs 8a, and 8b. The upper free ends of the combined frame and shelf member 8' are each hingedly or pivotally connected to the cross rod I, as at 9. The horizontal portions of each step of the frame member 8 is cross-connected by a plurality of.

- To lend rigidity to-the 'U-shaped retaining rods I3, l3a and I3b are provided with the legs thereof projecting vertically and suitably secured to the front corner of the step as by welding. v I

rack and to materially reinforce the same, side reinforcing rods I4 and Ma are provided and extend diagonally across the step portions of the frame and shelf member 8 and are connected thereto preferably by weldu ing. In the form of rack shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the upper ends of the side brace rods l4 and Ma, project free and terminate inside of the vertical legs ofthe rear frame member 5.

A latch member of a particular advantageous type is provided and is generally indicated at I5, said member preferably beingin theform of a generally U-shaped wire or rod having its rear ends hingedly connected to the-lower cross rod Ia at I6 and its front portion formed with upwardly bent or hook shaped latches I 6b,, I Go and a central latch tab 11. The latches Mia and l6b are adapted to hook over the front cross rod, 12, while the latch tab I'I constitutes in effect a locking tab which maybe used in the position clearly illustrated in Fig. 5, the front crossrod of the latch member being sprung downwardly and inwardly until the tab l'I engages under tension in rear of the cross bar 12, whereupon it locks the frame members against accidental release, permitting the rack when in unfolded position to be roughly handled without danger of collapse. 7

The top of the rack may be provided with sign-holding guards or members I 8 which in their preferred form consist of a 'piece of wire bent double with the upper end thereof projecting laterally as at I8a, the center of the member being thus provided with a guide slot to receive a card of any other matter used in an advertising or descriptive sense. I

The rack is shown in folded position in Fig. 3, the latch member l5 having been released from its cross rod I2, dropping down parallel with the rear frame 5. The rear bend of each step may be pressed under slight tension between the upright rods of the rear frame member 5 so that the rack will retain its folded position irrespective of careless handling. To unfold the rack, it is only necessary to'spread the frame members and hook the latch member to the cross bar I2.

A rack embodying the principles of construction as above set forth has been found to be capable of supporting unusually heavy weight, and in fact theconstruction is such that a rack of practically any desired size and capacity may be made of wire or rod stock of relatively small gauge. Furthermore, there is no tendency towards a rickety condition common in wire racks and especially those of the larger type.

In Fig. 4, a modification in structure is shown wherein the main reinforcing side member, indicated at 20, is of generally U-shaped form with the closed portion thereof continued across the rear frame member and constituting a cross bracing rod 2|. To give added strength, additional side brace members or rods 22 and 220. may be provided, said members paralleling the main reinforcing member 20 and having their upper ends terminating free in a manner similar to the side members [4 used in connection with the form shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive.

The shelves in Fig. 4 are completely rimmed by the addition of members 23. Under heavy load there may be in certain instances a tendency of the rear frame member to sway or spread below the hinge point of the latch member. To ensure against such'action, in Fig. 4 the bottom cross member, indicated at 1b, islowered to a point, say, from one to three inches above the floor level, and the latch, indicatedat' [5a, is disposed at an angle, or is inclined upwardly from its hinge connection with the rear cross member Tb. To offset any lossofbracing effect resulting from lowering of the cross member 1a, means in the form of rear cross braces 24' and'24a are connectedbetw'een the uprights of the rear frame memher 5. In this figure, the'latch [5a is shown with the latch tab in'non-locking position. In other respects'the rack'of Fig. 4 is similar'to the form heretofore described and like reference characters are applied to like parts.

It'will be understood that certain changes in construction and design may be'adopted without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as'defined'by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A wire rack for display and like purposes including a pairof pivotally connected front and rear Wire leg frames, one or more cross bars connecting the side members of said leg frames, and a latch member of generally U-shaped form pivotally connected at one extremity to one of the leg frames and at its opposite extremity being formed with a plurality of U-shaped hooks adapted to engage one of said cross bars and an intermediate tab member adapted to be sprung downwardly and rearwardly and engage under tension in rear of said cross bar between said hooks.

2. A wire rack for display and like purposes comprising a rear frame member of closed substantially rectangular form shaped to provide a supporting leg for the rack and a front frame member of generally U-shaped form having its closed end positioned at the bottom of the rack ,to provide a front leg for the rack and its free ends pivotally connected to the rear frame mem- .ber adjacent the upper extremity of the latter,

said front frame member being given a generally step shaped contour to provide one or more shelves for the rack, and one or more bracing rods extending diagonally of the stepped por tions of the front frame member and rigidly conn'eoted to the latter.

3. A wire rack for display and like purposes comprising a pair of pivotally connected wire leg frames, one of said leg frames being of closed substantially U-shaped form and constituting the rear frame member of the rack and the other frame member being of substantially U-shaped form with one or more steps therelong to provide one or more shelves for the rack, the rear frame member extending vertically when the rack is set up andthe front frame member being hinged- 131 connected to the rear frame member and extending at an angle to the latter, a plurality of cross rods connecting said-front frame member, one or more side bracing rods extending diagonally with respect to the stepped portions of the front frame member and connected to the latter, and a latch member of generally U-shaped form pivotally connected to a cross rod of the rear frame member and having its front portion bent toprovide oneor more hooks to engage a cross rod of the front frame member.

HARRY o. ROBINSON. 

